Reflections on Ancient Warnings for Modern Times
Have you ever read something written almost three thousand years ago and felt like it could have been written yesterday? That’s how I felt reading Amos 5 in the Bible, a chapter where the prophet Amos talks bluntly about the “day of the Lord.” This isn’t some mysterious or abstract prophecy—it’s actually a pretty direct warning, and the issues Amos describes sound surprisingly familiar.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
The Situation in Amos’ Day
Amos lived in a time when things looked good on the outside. People were building fancy stone houses, planting beautiful vineyards, and generally living large—at least, some people were. But there was a dark side hidden behind all that prosperity. The society Amos describes had a big problem: the people in power were acting unjustly. Here’s what was happening:
· People hated those who spoke up for what was right or challenged injustice.
· The poor were being taken advantage of—losing their grain, their basic means of survival.
· Bribes and corruption were rampant, especially in the courts. Justice was for sale, and the poor couldn’t get a fair hearing.
· Good people were pushed aside or outright persecuted.
Basically, the system was rigged. It didn’t matter if you were right or tried to do good; if you weren’t rich or powerful, you didn’t stand a chance. Amos calls out the community, not just the leaders, for going along with this way of living.
The Warning: The Day of the Lord
When Amos talks about the “day of the Lord,” he’s warning that God isn’t going to let injustice slide forever. The people thought they were safe because they were religious in their own way. They did the rituals, showed up for ceremonies, and thought that was enough. But Amos tells them straight: God cares way more about how we treat others than about religious show. He says, “You can’t keep doing evil things and then expect everything to be fine because you went to church or made a sacrifice.”
In fact, Amos says the time will come when all that pretending won’t help anymore. If people keep ignoring injustice and hurting others, there will be consequences. The “day of the Lord” is a time when God steps in, and it’s not a party for those who have been acting selfishly.
What Was Expected of the People
Amos doesn’t just point out what’s wrong; he tells the people how to fix it. The advice is simple, and it’s timeless:
· Make it your aim to do what’s right, not what’s evil.
· Love what’s right and hate what’s wrong.
· See that justice wins in the courts—don’t let bribes or power decide what’s fair.
If people actually live this way, Amos says, then God really will be with them—not just in words, but in reality. And maybe, just maybe, God will show mercy even after all the mistakes.
Why This Still Matters Today
If you swap out the ancient stone houses and vineyards for mansions and fancy cars, and swap the corrupt courts for today’s systems that sometimes still fail the poor or marginalized, you’ll see that not much has changed. People still:
· Look the other way when injustice happens, especially if it doesn’t affect them personally.
· Get frustrated or even angry with people who “rock the boat” and demand fairness.
· Sometimes participate in systems that favor the wealthy, powerful, or well-connected.
· Feel smug or safe because they think they’re on the “right side,” while ignoring how their actions (or inactions) affect others.
It’s easy to say, “That’s just the way things are.” But Amos reminds us that God cares deeply about what’s right, especially when it comes to how we treat other people. It’s not just about personal faith, but about standing up for fairness and refusing to go along with what everyone else is doing when it’s wrong.
Is There Anything New Under the Sun?
The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “There is nothing new under the sun.” And that’s true here. The same problems Amos called out thousands of years ago still exist. That means the same solutions still matter:
· Speak up for what’s right—even if it’s unpopular.
· Avoid taking advantage of others, especially if you have power or influence.
· Refuse to be silent when you see someone being mistreated.
· Don’t settle for “just going along” with what’s wrong, even if it’s the norm.
It’s not always easy, and sometimes it feels like nothing will change. Amos even says that in evil times, “keeping quiet is the smart thing to do”—meaning, it can be dangerous to stand up. But he doesn’t say it’s the right thing. In fact, he calls people to hate evil and love what’s right.
Does God Get Fed Up?
Yes, Amos makes it clear that God eventually gets fed up with injustice. God isn’t indifferent—He cares about the suffering of the poor, the abuse of power, and the ways people hurt each other for personal gain. God’s patience is huge, but not endless. There’s a warning here: don’t assume you can keep doing what’s wrong and nothing will happen.
But there’s also hope. Amos says, “Perhaps the Lord will be merciful.” If we turn things around, if we start aiming for justice and compassion, God is willing to show mercy. That’s a powerful message—one that’s just as important now as it was then.
Bringing It Home
So, what can we do with all this? Start small:
· Listen when someone points out something unfair, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
· Help those who are struggling, even in small ways—donate, volunteer, or just show kindness.
· Refuse to take part in gossip, cheating, or systems that hurt others.
· Ask yourself: Am I loving what is right and hating what is evil, or am I just going along with the crowd?
Amos 5 is a challenge, but also an invitation. It’s a call to live with integrity, stand up for justice, and trust that doing the right thing matters—not just to people, but to God. The problems may not be new, but neither is the hope that things can change when we take God’s message seriously.
Let’s not forget: God still cares about what’s going on in the world. And we have the chance, every day, to be part of the solution.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 